GameSpy to cease all hosted services on May 31

GameSpy, the mobile networking technology that provides multiplayer support for a number of mobile titles across several platforms, will be shutting down on May 31 according to a notice on the company’s website.

Those that read between the lines likely saw the closure of GameSpy coming long ago. A separate update on the GameSpy website noted they stopped making their software available for licensing effective January 1, 2013.

What’s more, Nintendo revealed a few months ago that its Wi-Fi Connect service for Wii and Nintendo DS would be shutting down on May 20. The service relied on GameSpy and without it, Wii and DS owners will no longer be able to play online or access leaderboards.

Outside of Nintendo, a number of other companies and platforms have relied on GameSpy services over the years including Android, iOS, Mac, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows PC and the Xbox 360.

GameSpy’s roots date back to the mid ‘90s when it was crafted as a listing service for server IP addresses for Quake, one of the first games that used the Internet for multiplayer purposes. The service evolved and changed hands over the years, most recently being acquired by mobile game developer Glu Mobile in August 2012.

It’s worth pointing out that the multiplayer service is a separate entity from the gaming site by the same name. Ziff Davis shut down that website along with 1up and UGO in February 2013 as part of a restructuring effort.